Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca moved to cool growing comparisons between Estevão and Lionel Messi on Tuesday, despite the teenage star producing a breathtaking solo goal in a 3–0 Champions League victory over Barcelona.

The 18-year-old Brazilian outshone fellow prodigy Lamine Yamal as Chelsea secured their third win in five matches during the league phase of the competition.

Estevão’s standout moment arrived 10 minutes after the restart, when he collected the ball on the right flank, glided past two defenders, and smashed his finish into the top corner of Joan Garcia’s goal. The strike marked his 10th of the season for club and country—an impressive tally just months into his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s other goals came via a Jules Kounde own goal and a late finish from substitute Liam Delap. Barcelona’s night worsened when captain Ronald Araújo was dismissed in the second half after receiving a second yellow card.

Asked whether Estevão’s dazzling run evoked memories of Messi, Maresca instead likened it to one the youngster scored for Palmeiras against Chelsea during the Club World Cup in July. The coach emphasized the importance of shielding the teenager from excessive expectations.

“Him, Lamine, they’re so young—just 18,” Maresca said. “If you start talking about Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, it puts too much pressure on boys like them. They need to enjoy football, come to training happy. Comparing them to Messi or Ronaldo is too much at this stage.”

Estevão, who received rapturous support from the Chelsea fans throughout the match, described the night as the highlight of his career so far.

“I don’t have words for how I’m feeling,” he told Amazon Prime. “It really was the perfect night. I’m just grateful to God for everything that’s happened.”

He added that he felt an instant bond with the supporters: “From the moment I arrived, I felt a connection with the fans. I’m so happy I could score for them and make them happy. I hope I can keep doing that.”

Maresca insisted Estevão’s rapid rise would not dictate his selection choices.

“Tonight, in probably the toughest game of the season, we chose to start Estevão,” he said. “I’m not a manager who doesn’t give players minutes. It always comes down to the game plan—the game plan decides the starting eleven.”